Recoil-gun.



H.- LEHMANN. REOIL GUN. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 23, 190s,

Patented Apr. 4, 1911.

6 BHEBTESHEET l.

ldllllvlll Illllllf HQLEHMANN'.

REGOIL GUN AAAAAAAA 10,11 num JUNE 23. 190s. l l 'Y Patented Apr.4, 1911.

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H LEHMANN.

REGOIL GUN. APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 2s, 199s.

Patented Apr. 4, 1911.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

H. LEHMANN.

REGOIL GUN. APPLICATION HLBD JUNE 23, 1908.

Patented "Apr, 4, 1911',

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H. LEHMANN.

REGOIL GUN.

APPLIQATION FILED JUNE 23, 190s..

Patented Apr. 451911.

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RBGOIL GUN.4

APPLIGATION FILED m1111231 19011` Patented Apr.- 4, 1911.

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A# arnsys V 'HERMANN LHM'AN, OF MAGDEBURG-SUDENBUBG, GERMANY.

RECOI-L-GUN.

Specification of Letters Patent.

fifatented Apr. 4., 1911.

Application tiled June 23, 1908. Serial No. 440,014.

"To ,all whom. 'it may concern:

i Beitknown that I, HERMANN LEHMAEN, *a subject of the Emperor of Germany, King of Prussia, and a resident of Magdeburg- Sludenburg,Germany, have invented certain .l new and -useful Improvements 1n Recoil- Guns, of which the"following is a. specificat-ion.

'lhepresent` invention relates to :i recoilgunprovided with means for automatically lopening and closing 'the closure.

".'Threeembodimentsof the invent-ion a-re\ .shown in .the accompanying' dra-wings, by

..,. Figure 1 is aside'viewl', partly in section, offtheiirst embodiment, showing those parts of.. the gun, to which the invention relates. 'The parts are shown' 'inthe-position which P'r; `they nssiun'e when the,` gun-barrel is in the iiring position and. the., closure. is closed', .Fige2 is a. top view of Fig. 1, partlyin sec.- ktion.; Fig. 3 is -e.diagrammatic view of some parts of the gun/in the position as per Figs.

Lend 2.; Fig-Lis n section on line 1 -1, Fig.

.Figs, 5 and are sections on lines .5j-5S :umili-6, Fig.. 2, looking from th'e left; Fig.

Z'showssome details in a view corresponding to that shownin Fig. 2; the parts are shown rin 'the osition which they assume immediately a er the recoil commences;

` Fig.- 8 is -a' View corresponding to Fig. 2, the

lpartsbeing shown in the position which they assume at the end of the recoil; Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view of some of the parts .in theposition corresponding to that shown -i'li Fig. 8;- Fig. 10 is a viewcorresponding .to Fig. 2, the parts being shown in the position whichthey assumefwhen the gun-bar- ,relhas nearly completed its ret-urn move- .ment;..F1g. 11 1s a. View corresponding to Fig. 2 and showing the parts in the position `which they assume when the gun-barrel is in the firing position and the closure is open; Fig: 12 is a, diagrammatic viewl showing someparts of the gun 1n a positlon corresponding to that shown in Fig. 11; Fig. 13 is a -topview of parts of a second embodiment, the gun-barrel beingin the firing position and 'the closure being closed; Fig. 14 is 'a .section on en enlarged sc'le, onflne lfirflr, Fig. 13,.1ooking from' the. vright; l Fig. 15V is 'a rea-r View o athird er'ribod-iment the parts ene shown. in the position which they 4assume when the gun-.barrel is in the firing position, und the closure is closed;

Fig. x16-is a. top-.view of' Fig. -15', partly in 18 is a top view of Fig. 17, partly in section;M Fig. 19 is a section on en enlarged scale, on

line 19-19, Fig. 18, looking from below, and Figs. 20 and 21 are views. corresponding to F ig. 19, but showing the parts in other rela.-

`tive positions.

Reference will first-bel had to the embodiinent shown Figs 1 to l2. 'The gunbzi'rrel A,.\vhiclr hns its horn' a1 connected with a recoil-brake and e recuperator, is

-slidingly mounted in the cradle B. The

recoil-brake and the recuperator, Which'iare not shown in the drawings, may be of any suitable known construction. The closure is opened andclosed by means of an operating lever C C1 which is jourxmled in the lircech of the gun barrel and which has its arm C1 provided with a heart-shaped stud c? which engages in :i curved groove d2 in the breech-block D (Figs. 5, 8 and 11). The bifurcated ejector E is mounted on a shaft el jonrnaled in the-breech of the gunbarrel (Figs. 1 3. 8, 9 4 11 and 12). The ejector is provided with cams e3 which are capable of cooperating with trppers Gr Figs. 3 and 12) swingingly mounted in the breech-block so as to cause the ejector to be swung putwardly toward the end of the outward movement of 'the breech -bloclo (Fig. 12). Each tripper G is under the action of a spring (not shown) Awhich-tends to hold the tripper in the position shown in Figs. B and 12. The mechanism so. for' .vvhichisv mounted, in the operating lever.. AThe locking boltv c is formed as a bellcrank lever and is mounted in Stich a. man? 'ner-that. iteen be Withdrawnfrom the re..

A bell-crank lever ros cess -'by the ressure. ofi the hand of the A operator when ie ,g1-espe. the handle of the operating lever. 0n iterlower side the leverar'm F is provided with. a projection f2v which, during the recoil and return move,-

is connected to a slide J Wliichvis capable of sliding on a straight track K which is of trough shaped cross-section and is secured to the breech of the gun-barrel. For that purpose the arm F1 has a small slide f* movably arranged in a guide f5 and enga-g* ing a pin z'* on the slide. J (Fig. 4:)`.' The slide J which is of rectangular cross-secp vss Vpendently of the other spring. inder O is provided on its exterior with' tion, goes over into a cylindrical piston Jl which is continued in a r'od J2 on thefree end of which is screwed'a cylindrical nutl L. The trough shaped cross-section 'of the truck K also goes over intoa cylindrical cross-section to correspond to the shape of the parts, J and J1. The latter part (K1) of the track projects over the'cradle'andis supported by a bearing M which is mounted on the cradle and in which the .part K1 is` capable of slidi during the recoil and re turn movement of the gun-barrel. Into the free end of the part K1 of the track is screwed a tube 'N which serves as guide for the nut L of the rod J 2 during the relative movement of the parts J J1 J2. In apart- K1 Vof the track is furthermore slidingly mounted a hollow cylinder O which is closed at one end. ,The-end wall of the cylinder, which is rovided' with a b ore for the rod J 2 (Figs. r, 7, 8, 10 and 11)', serves as abutment for two spiral springs R and S, one of which is arranged within the other. The inner spring (R) serves for opening the closure and the outer spring (S) serves for closing the closure. The nut L forms the' other abutment fo'rtlie opening spring R and an annular projection n.1 on the tube N forms the other abutment for the ,closing spring. S. As will be seen from the drawings the distance between these two abutnients and the end Wall of the cylinder O may be varied by turning the tube N relatively to the guide-cylinder K1 or by turifing the nut Lrelat'ivelly to the rod J?. Each of the springs gis therefore capable of adjustment of its compression inde- The cyltwo ribs of and 02 which project through the cylindrical., wall of the guide-cylinder K.1 (Fig-6). The rib o1 is provided with a cam 03 (Figs. 2, 6, 7, 10 and 11) whichis adapted to cooperate with a.' stop P which is secured on the cradle B and is located in the path ot movement of the cam "03. The

rib o2 is provided with a notch o* into v which a. spring-pressed bolt Q can snap at the end of the recoil., the bolt Q.V being mounted in a projectioin k2 on the part Kl of the track- (see especially Figs. 2, 3, 8 and 9). In order to m'a'ke it possible to withdraw the bolt Q, from'the notch o* a lever U is secured on the ejector-shaft e (Figs. 1, 3, 8, 9, .11 and 12) which lever, when' the ejector E swings outwardly. is capable of having a spring-pressed cam u1 engage behinda cam g1 arranged on the bolt Q, (Fig. 12).

. Directly before the shot is fired the severah parts assume the position shown in Figs. 1 to 6. The gun-barrel A is then in its'foregnost position relatively to the cradle B. The closure is closed. The levers C C1 and F Fx are coupled together through the medium of the locking bolt c3; the projection f2 on thelever F F1v assumes such a position relatively to the guide-rail vH that the projection f2 can swing past the front face of the guide-'rail Hv when the levers C C1 and F FL are turned. The springs R and S are under initial-compression; the cam oa of the cylinder O enga es with the stop 1. After the un is fired t on the cra le. The track K K1 N which is secured on the gun-barrel recoils with the barrel, while the cylinder O is held 'from movement by reason .of the. engagement of the cam o with the stop P. Compression is thereby im arted to the closing spring S. The parts J 1 J 2 L which are guided in the track K K1 N tend to recoil with the track as they resist displacement relatively to their guides by reason of their connection with the operating lever C C1 of the closure and by reason-of the friction in the guides K 'K1 N. However, the initial compression of the .opening spring R'is so strong that it 'overcomes these resistanees and holds the piston J1 in abutment with the cylinder O. The shaft c" of the bell-crank lever F F1 and of the operating. lever C C1, which shaft is journaled in .he,:breech, must, however, recoil with th'e n-barrel and the levers F 'F1 and C C? will therefore turn in the di- -rection of the arrow y 2). This turning movement is, however, stopped immediately after having started, as the projection f2 of the lever-arm F cannot any more swing past the `front face h* of thejguide-rail because the gun-barrel, during this turning movement, has moved so far backward that the ,inclined face ,f of the projection f comes into abutment with the guide-rail H. At that moment the parts assume the posi- .tion shown `in Fig. 7. During the further recoil movement of the barrel the levers F F1 and C C? will first be turned back into their' original position through coperation of the inclined face f and the guide-rail H. Thereupon the projection f slides with its e gun-barrel recoils also be compressed during the recoil.A

face fl along the guide'rail H and, 'during the further recoil movement, the levers C C1 and F F1 are, therefore, lprevented from swinging out and the arts@ J J2 L are obliged to partake o-.t ie recoil of the gunbarrel.' Theopenng springR will thereby When thegunbarrel has completed its `recoil movement, that is when the parts assume the position shown in Fi into. the .notch 0 o the cylinder@ (Figs.

Sand-9). During the return movement of the. barrel the boltQ, carries the cylinder O u long. .The projection f2 slides" along the guide-rail The springs R and S remain compressed. When the gun-barrel has reached its foremost position (Figrl) the projectionijxe slides o ff 'l (Figg 10).

A an

the guide-rail H; The opening s'prin R thereupon expands and moves the rd 2, the piston J1 andthe slide J? relatively'to thetraclr N K1 K and the gunlbarielin the directionof the arrow :c .'The'belhcran'k lever F F1 and the operating/lever C C1 coupled thereto are thereby turned insuch ainanner that the breech-block is moved outwardlyV (Fig. 1l).

Toward the end of vthis movement 'the breechblock D, ,through .the medium oiv its trip'pcrs' nG ,lswings the ejectonE and the lever 'U arranged on -the ejector-shaft 'e from the position shown in Figs. 8 and 9 -to the position shown in Figs.' 11- and 1 2. This causes the ejector to eject the cartridge position slioivn in Figs. loading' takes place' the and the spring-pressed cem u1 of the lever U moves behind the ca-in g1 of the bolt Q. The severalparts then assume the relative lll and 12. Vhen ejector E is swung backinto its originel osition by the baseriin of the cartridgeshll The lever U partakes of the turning movement of the ejector andwithdraws the holt Q from 'the notch 0*, whereby the cylinder O is released and the spring S can expand. While expanding, the spring S returns the cylinder O and through the latter also the piston J* and l the slide J to the position shown in Fig. 2l

whereby the closure is closed through the medium of the. lever F F1 and the operating lever .C Cll- During 4the inward movement of the breech-block the trippers G yield to A- ithe camsfea'of the ejector and after passing the coins the tri-ppers areimmediat'ely re;

turned to their. position of rest b v theirl springs. The` compression of the opening spring R has not been subjected to any 'change'during the closing of the closure.fas there has been no change in the distance betweenits two abutments (the end wall ofthe cylinder O and the nut L) during'tlie disl placement of the partis" in thecylinders K1 When the closure is'elosed the several 'iarts again assume the 'position shown in' igs.ito6. l

The herein-described' device ,is :especially 8, the boltQJ snaps other spring.l

distinguished byeasyinspection of the Working parts." recoilgnns in which theclosing'or the opening'otthe closure or both .the openingam; j

the closing is eifected by the-.movement o the un barrel the 4gun according to the `preeent invention resents the advantage that the opening an closing of the closure talres place when tlie'gun 'barrel is in the position of rest.' However, the most important ad vantage of the invention is thatthe force with which the opening and closing takes place is entirely independent'of the velocity of-the recoil and neturn movement ofthe gun-barrel,

the openingand closing of the closure is independent of the velocity of th'e gun-barrel provides for afmore uniform working of the gun and less' strain on the parts of the closure.

j which-velocity is subject to variations so astb be great-ei' during one firing than during? another firing. The fact that 4 As coiiparedwith other barrel'- v The fact Jthat 4the two springs are independent of one anotherhas furthermore the advantage that it ispossible to impart-to each of'th'e springsthe Vexact compression required for the work to be performed by thespring andth'at each spring canbe subsequently compressed independently fof the If tlieclosure is to beoperated byha'nd the operator proceeds as in an ordinary mann ally .operated closure with operating-lever, that is the operator grasfjs the handle o f the operating lever C C1 and turns itin the di rectionof thejarrow y (Fig. 2) and back into the original position. The pressure .of

the hand on the handle causes the lockingr Dolt- 03 to become withdrawn from the recess f? of lever-arm F and the operating lever thus becomes uncoupled from the device forautomatically opening'and closing` the closure, which device therefore remains in the posltion shown in Figs. l and 2; To operate the closure 'by hand it is therefore-merely necessary to use the force required for operating an ordinary closure with operating lever. If the operator, after the closure lias been closed, lets go his hold onthe handle of the operating lever the locking bolt .cs again snaps into the recess f3 and causes the operating lever -C C* to be coupled tothe device for the automatic 4openingand closingof vthe closure.

A k at Fig. s win show .that in this,

y embodiment it is also possible to automatically open the closure at the end of the re coil. This is possible if the guide-rail H, reckoned from the face k2, extends only to the face h3 indicated in Fig; A8. -In this case thev closurel canopen when, onA recoil, the projection fzfof thelever-'aim F reaches-the position shown iii-Fig. 8 relatively to the guide-rail H;

- In' the embodiment shown in 13 and i ,14 the closure is opened during the return Before firing takes place the parts assume movement of the barrel. For that purpose a detlector T is mounted in the guide-rail H, the deflector being held by a spring Y in the position shown in the drawing. When the gun-barrel recoils the projection f2 -of the lever-arm F slides alonl the guide-rail H and forces the detlector 'ackward so as to cause the point o'f the deflector to abut againstthe inclined face las of the guide rail. Directly after the projection f2 has passed the deleetor T the spring V returns the defiector to the position shown in the drawing.4 During the return movement of thegun-barrely the projection f2 enters the passage betwen thc inclined face-11,3 and the defiector and the operating lever C C1 is therefore free to move outwardly under the infiuence ofthe opening spring to open the closure. l In other respects the construction and mode of operation of this embodiment `are identical to those of the embodiment shown in Figs. 1"to 12. z' Y The embodiment shown in Figs. 15 'to 21 is adapted for use in a gun in which the loading takes place automatically. This ynilhodiinent ditt'ers from the first-describedv embodiment Ias regards the arrangement-and shape ot' the bolt Q and thc notch of the cylinder O cooperating therewith and also as regards the means through which the bolt Q-and the corresponding notcliare brought' into and ont of engagement. The rib 'o2 of the cylinder O of the first-described embodiment is ndty present in this embodiment. The rib ol is provided with two notches o and o" of di'erent'depth which extend in continuation of each other (Figs. 16 and 18). The. bolt Q which cooperates with the notches o'rl and oG is arranged in a projection k2 on the cylinder K1 which projection extends beyond the cradle B. The holt Q has one end bent. to form a hook. An inclined face q2 provided on the inner side of the hook of the bolt Q. can coperate with two inclined faces wg 'w3 on a'rod lV which is n'ionnted to'slido vertically in a guidearin'X larranged on the. cradle B. On 4its outer side the hook ot the holt Q is provided willi an inclined face Il, which is adapted to coperate with aniuclined face ai on the guide-arm X: Tn otherrespects the c onstruction 'of this embodiment isidentical with that olf the first-described embodiment.

the position shown in Figs'. 15 and 1G. Af-

ter the gun is fired the gun-barrel A recoilsV on the cradleB, and the opening and closing springsrof which only the closin n spring S is shown in thediawiiig. are there y conipressed in the manner already;deserihed. The projection In", which is provided on the guide-cylinder ICL and in which is arranged the bolt Q, recoils ,with the gun-barrel, the projection 7c'z b eing guided in its movement by having a rail k* engaging in a groove a1*- in the guide-arm X. Toward the end of the recoil theinclined face g hits the inclinedV face, nf and slides along thereon. IThe bolt Q is thereby shifted in such a manner as to assume the position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 16 at the end of the recoil. In this position the bolt Q abuts against'the bottom of the notch o.- On the return to battery the bolt Q comes first into abutment with the face o7 of the notch 05 and carries thel75 cylinder O along in the manner already described. -When -t-he return -movementl isA completed the closure is opened and a fresh cartridge is introduced in the gun-barrel-.. through the medium of means which are not- 8'0 illustrated in the drawings. At that Inonient the parts assume the position shown in .full lines in Figs. 17 to.19. Directl tliereafter a art of the device which e ects the" automatic loading. elevates thelrodW from v the position shown in Fig.' 19 to that shown vin Fig. 20. Vhile this takes. place the inclined face fw2 of the rod slides along on-the inclinedface q2 of Vthe bolt and the' bolt Q is thereby withdrawn from the notch or and l becomes located on level with'the bottom of the notch 0. The closing spring S theretore'connn'ences to expand and commences to close the cl'osnre. This closing movement is, however, very soon interru ted 'because 95 the wall. os of the notch ou strikes the bolt' Q whereby the cylinder O is-again locked in position. The breech-block hasthen been moved so fai' into the breech as to just cover the riin of thecap Z of the cartridge (see the positions of the breech-block D and the' lever-arms C and F1-indicated in dotted lines in Figs. 17 and 18). A' partofthe loading device thereupon further elevates the rod YV so as to cause the rod to assume the position shown in Fig. 21. While this takes place the inclined face w slides along on the inclined face 2 so as to canse the bolt.l Q. to be withdrawn i'r'om the. notch o6. The closing spring S then further expands and 110 completely .closes the closure. After the rod W hasibeen lowered toits original position (Fig. 15)- by a part ofthe loading device-the several parts again assume the position shown in Figs. 15 and 16. Due tir-115 the fact that the closure, -directly after tllbq insertion of the cartridge, closes to suoli an extent that the breech-block just overlaps the rim ot the cartridge-the rammer, which' etlects the introduction lof the cartridge into 120 the gun-barrel, is' free to be withdrawn out 1 of the path of the breech-block; on the other hand the cartridge is prevented from-drop? pingout 'when lthe rammer is withdrafvn.. When the gun-barrel is adjusted to high 125 elevations the vcartridgeV might easily dropout from its seat after 'the rammer has' 4moved away from the cartridge if the breeeh-block did not engage behind Athe cartridge.

Hayin. thus describedv the inventiomwhat air of accumulatore, means whereb energy is-elaime and desired to be secured by Let- 1e stored in tlie'accumulators by t ey recoil ters Patent is: movement of the gum-barrel, comprising a 1. The combination with a recoil gun, of connection between the' accumulatore and means for automatically opening and closthe breech closure constructed to cause'one 70 ing the closure thereof` comprising two acof the accumulatore to open the closure .and cumulators adapted to be tensioned directly the other accumulator `to close the c1osurc,` by and on therecoil movement of the gun and a locking means for each of said 'accubarrel, means for holdinrr the accumulatore mulators adapted to be released successively' under tension, means. whereby one of the to permit the Aaccumulatore to act..` 75 accumulatore is caused`,to open. the closure, 7. In a recoil gun, the combination with and means whereby the other laccumulator the gun-barrel and the breech closure, of -a is caused to close the closure, pair of accumulators,vmeane wherebyenergy 2. The combination with a recoil gun, of ie stored in the accumulatore by the .recoil Ameans for automatically openin and closs movement of the gun-barrel, comprising a ing the closure thereof. comprising two ac` connection between the accumulatore `and vcnmulators adapted to 'be tensioned directly the breech closure constructed to cause 'one by and on the recoil movement of the gun of the accumulatore to open the closure and barrel, means for holding said accumulatore the other accumulatorA to close the closure, under tension during the counter recoil' and a locking means for each of said accu- 85 movement of the gun b arrel, means whereby mulat'ors adapted to be' released successively one of the accumulatore is'caiised to open to permit the accumulatore to act; one of the closure after the gun' barrel has comsaid locking means being ada ted to be repleted its counter recoil, and means whereby leased automatically at the en of the return thef' other accumulator is caused to close the movement of the gun-barrel and the other 90 closure. locking means being adapted to be released 3. In a recoil gun, thecombination with by the insertion of a cartridge in the gunthe gun barrel and the breech closure,'of a barrel. pair of accumulatore adapted to be ener-l 8. In a recoil gun, the combination with gized by the recoil movement of the gun, the gun-barrel and -the breechclosure, of a means for locking said accumulatore during pair of springs under compression independthe return movement, saidV means being ently operative one to perform the functions adapted to release one of the accumulatore of opening andthe other, the functions of to open the closure at the completion of the closing the closure, and means for adjusting return movement; and means connected the compression of said spr-ings independwith the other accumulator whereby it is ently of each other. released to close said closure, said last 9. In a recoil gun, the combination with named means being operated by the intiothe gun-barrel, the breech closure and the duction of a. fresh shell. operating lever for the breech closure, of a 4. In a recoil gun, the combination with pair ot' accumulatore, means whereby energy 105 thc gun barrel and the breech closure, .of acis stored iii'said accumulatore by the recoil cumulators for storing energy derived from movement of the gun-barrel, comprising a the recoil movementof'the gun, cach of said connection between the accumulatore and accumulatore being operatively connected the operating lever whereby one of the lacwith the breech-closure; a separate dctent cumulators actuatcs thc operating lever to mechanism adapted to automatically lock open the breech and 'the other accumulator cach of said accumulatore at the end of the actuatcs the operating lever to close the recoil movement; one of said detent mech'abreech, a member secured on a non-recoiling nisnis being further adapted to release one part of thc gun, and a member connected to of said accumulatore at the end of the return the operating lever and adapted to enter movement; and means operated by the ejcc into engagement with said first-named mem# tor for rcleasin the other accumulator. bei' on recoil to prevent movement of the In a rccoi gun, the combination with operating lever to open the breech. a breech closure block; of a lever by means 1.0. ln a recoil gun, the combination with of which saidblock is thrown from its closed the gmx-barrel, the breech closure and the to its open position and back again; a slide operating lover for the breech closure, of a' for actuating said lever; and two accumulapair of maf-.innalatoi-S, means whereby energy tors operatively `connected with said slide, is stored in said accumulatore by the recoil one of said accumulatore being adapted to movement of the gnnebarrel, comprising a move the slide in one direction to open the connection between the accumulatore and breech and the' 'other accumulator being the operating lever whereby one of the ac adapted to move the slide in the opposite f-.u'mulatore actuates the operating lever to direction to close the breech. z open thc breech and the other-'accumulator 6. ,ln a recoil gun, the combination with actnates thc operating;r lever to close the the gun-barrcland the breech closure, of a breech, a member-.secr "ed on a minwewiling part of the gun, und-e member connectedto the operating lever and adapted to enterinto engng,gemenlwith said first-named' mem- -ber on recoil to prevenlI movement ofthe opera-ting lever' to open the breech; said first-named member bein constructed to remain in engagement witi the member of 'barrel, comprising a. second lever loosely mounted* onthe shaft of" the' operating lever, meens- -for eouplingseidsecond' lever to the o erating lever, und a connection bee" tween t e accumulatore and saidl second lever'whereby one of theaeeumulators' facts on the leversto open-the closure and' the other accumulator acts on the leversto close the-closure.

The foregoing specifica-tionsigned' at' Magdeburg Germany, this 6 dt'cy of June, 1908. s

HERMANN LEHMANN. Inpresence ofw? i RUDOLF BAUMGAnTi-r. GUSTA v BAI'IMGAnTr-r. 

